Egg Hatching

The Porch

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Last night I took away the heat lamp but the chicks had the heating pad. They did great over night with the coop door closed and 14 hens to keep the coop heat up, the chicks did great!
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Mini Horses

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Checking incubated eggs daily -- couple times -- for consistent temp/humidity. Good so far. Newer models have electronics with more "set & forget" controls. But this isn't an income source for me as those who hatch hundreds. That means this older model works fine for the situation.

Added the candle date on my calendar -- this weekend coming. That's a little anxiety 🤣. In past couple uses, I didn't do and had no issues. This may jinx me but, I want to check the bought eggs, at least.

26 eggs total. If I get 20, I'm good. Could hope 50% girl, that's also good. If any better than 20 hatch I'm hoping I don't get excited and buy more eggs at the auction. 😱. It's the week after hatch...empty incubator :lol: I'm thinking a week of chick care might stop me from bidding!

Plus....what would I do with more?? Could sell some but that's a PITrear to do. Could auction them but not worth the time. 🤣 Don't do more unless these are failures.
 
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The Porch

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SO VERY THANKFUL!!!
I was gone all day yesterday, but I set the coop up for the day. Took all of the grandchildren and son /DIL to the Woodland Park Zoo.
Long day.
When I got home all the chicks were great, even little roo that was feeling off.
They all are at full speed ahead this morning. After Bible Study I think I will turn them loos in the coop only. We are back to our normal weather , @Smokerbill , rain.
I was hoping to get to some mowing but NOT today. I'll get mowing prep done. Pick up hoses ect... Maybe weed eat tomorrow and mow on firday or sat.
I do want to start letting them run - SUPPERVISED- the whole coop and run for a few hours a day. they older hens have no intrest in them and have seen them long enough to know they belong.
As I have found over the last 12yr's, keeping the older hens out of the chick feed is the only hard part.

I have multiple feeders I set up in different spots in the run that will have S&P chick start in them and grubs to distract the hens.

🤔 I wonder 🤔
if I can give the chicks a bit of grubs yet????
 

The Porch

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I did end up closing the windows before I left for Bible study
but when I got back it was so nice out that I let them loose.

first , controlled. I did know what the hens would do.

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then I moved the panels a bit, all good. the hens didnt care.
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I raked the dirt bath area and gave the big girls some grubs.
I corralled the chicks over to the area, and spread some feed out over some grubs.


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Still the hens weren't interested and focused on their grubs'.

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My 3yr old BIG hen was close and I let her in, I watched carefully,, she was very good with the chicks.
After a while I let a few more inter act,
It went good,

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Big Tony dog loves his chickens and really wanted to see the chicks


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As the chicks worked their way back to the overhang Tony followed them

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I worked them back into the coop and funneled them in to their brooder
All back safe and sound

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Mini Horses

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When mine hatch, I won't let them see this! 😵‍💫 They'll feel deprived. Might get a coop containment this yr with the 5 young BOs who aren't getting just "turned loose". A controlled coop & run, with some free ranging in a fenced area....
 

The Porch

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When mine hatch, I won't let them see this! 😵‍💫 They'll feel deprived. Might get a coop containment this yr with the 5 young BOs who aren't getting just "turned loose". A controlled coop & run, with some free ranging in a fenced area....
Oh I am right there with them the whole time,, letting good hens close and bossy hens away,, my run is contained, they cant get out. It is time consuming for a while. Hahaha one of the little roosters stared down a big hen and gave her the puffed chest and all,,, it was so cute
 
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